European Central Bank News·· 5d agoSelected
ECB's Frank Elderson: Nature is fundamental to economic activity, says 72% of euro area companies depend on ecosystem services
Original source: European Central Bank NewsRead original
AI brief
In a keynote at COP17 Finance and Biodiversity Day, ECB Executive Board Member Frank Elderson stated that 72% of euro area companies depend on at least one ecosystem service, and 75% of corporate lending in the region goes to highly dependent firms. He argued that protecting and restoring nature is investment in natural capital, resilience, and future prosperity, warning that ecosystem deterioration raises costs, lowers productivity, and disrupts supply chains.
Why it matters
The speech highlights how central banks are integrating nature-related financial risks into core monetary and supervisory policy, signaling a shift toward considering biodiversity as a fundamental economic risk factor.
Source: European Central Bank News · ecb.europa.eu